Litbits January 20 2017

The Tough Guy Book Club holds Canberra meetings at the Old Canberra Inn, 195 Mouat Street, Lyneham. The book to read for the month is announced at each meeting.It's a modern meeting place for men to discuss not just the works of literary greats, but issues that men tackle on a daily basis. It's free. Upcoming meeting is on February 7, 2018, at 7pm. For more information visit facebook.com/ToughGuyBookClub.

What's on

January 22: That Poetry Thing: Lisa Brockwell (NSW) reads her poems and is interviewed by Martin Dolan. Includes open mic. $5 on the door. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7pm to 9pm

January 24: Summer Storytime: Take refuge from the summer heat with a storytime session at the National Library of Australia in the Brindabella Room, Level 4. Share your love of reading stories with the kids. $2 at the door. nla.gov.au.

January 28: In Change the Date?, a panel discussion at Muse at 3pm. experts discuss the Australia Day/Invasion Day controversy. They include 2009 Australian of the Year and member of the Yawuru people Mick Dodson AM and award-winning popular historian Frank Bongiorno. Tickets: $12 (includes a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink). musecanberra.com.au.

January 29 That Poetry Thing: Queenslander Shastra Deo reads from her award-winning debut The Agonist; Canberra poet, photographer and activist Judith Crispin reads from The Myrrh-Bearers and The Lumen Seed. Includes open mic. $5 on the door. Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic, 7pm to 9pm.

February 1: Dancing Home by Paul Collis, a novel described as part road-movie, part "Koori-noir", will be launched at the National Library of Australia Bookshop at 6pm. Free admission. nla.gov.au.

February 4: The Hyper Real exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia has left visitors with a sense of awe, wonder and amazement. Artist Patricia Piccinini joins NGA Senior Curator of Contemporary Art, Jaklyn Babington, for Question Time. Muse, 3pm. $12 includes a glass of house wine or soft drink. musecanberra.com.au.

February 6: Fighting on All Fronts: The MHSA Battle Series Vol. 1, 1916 - 1917 edited by Paul Skrebels and David Pearson, celebrating 60 years of the Military History Society of Australia's contributions to the interpretation and discussion of Australia's military history, . will be launched at the National Library of Australia Bookshop at 6pm. Free admisson. nla.gov.au.

February 11: In Symphony of Seduction, radio personality Christopher Lawrence looks at the love-crazed geniuses behind well-known pieces of classical music. Tickets: $12 (includes a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink). musecanberra.com.au.

Feb 14: Poetry at the House at ANU's University House at 7.30pm features Les Murray (Bunyah, NSW) whose latest books include Waiting for the Past.Admission: $10 waged, $5 unwaged, collected just before the reading starts. Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.

February 15: At 6pm in the China in the World auditorium, Fellows Lane, ANU in a free ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author event, Matt Thistlethwaite MP will launch Benjamin Jones' new book This Time: Australia's Republican Past and Future before a conversation between ANU historian and Australian Research Council Fellow, Dr Benjamin Jones and Michael Cooney, National Director and chief executive officer of the Australian Republic Movement.. Book signings before and after the event. Bookings at anu.edu.au/events or 6125 4144.

March 14: Poetry at the House at ANU's University House at 7.30pm features Jane Liddell-King (Britain) who has been particularly involved in writing about Jewish issues, diaspora and identity and Lachlan Brown (Wagga Wagga, NSW), whose latest book of poetry, Lunar Inheritance (Giramondo, 2017) explores his Chinese-Australian heritage. $10 waged, $5 unwaged, collected just before the reading starts. Bookings: gpage40@bigpond.net.au.